The Clinton Rally

Leaving the Clinton rally. A large crowd in an indoor track at Kirkwood Community College. She gave a long speech - we left after 50 minutes to get to the next event. Gov. Vilsack introduced her and Chelsea was there. Her speech rallied the crowd very well. She started witht he assertion that we need a president who is going to be fully ready to run the country "from day one" (shot at Obama). Her themes included education, tax reform and energy policy ("Nothing will change until we get the two oil men out of the white house"). Interestingly, she focused on health care, trying to change a perceived weakness (the failure of the 1994 plan) to a strength (she has the experience and know-how and track record to fight for universal care). She also emphasized veterans' rights and benefits, including treatments for traumatic brain injury. She argued that she is the right person to make change happen - do you just demand it (Edwards) or hope for it (Obama)? No, you have to work hard for it. She interwove a lot of personal stories - the nurse from Waterloo, who lost her job and health care when she got sick, e.g. Many out of state volunteers and a lot of signage outside and in. We are arriving at the Romney event unclear of whether we are at the right place because there are no signs! (but a few other people vaguely confused).